Data Protection Officer

ADIB Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Data Protection Officer to ensure compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws. Responsibilities include advising on data protection policies, conducting audits, and delivering training. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills and at least 10 years of experience in a data protection role, ideally within a financial setting. The position offers an opportunity to impact data protection measures across the group.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years experience in a data protection role, preferably in a financial institution.
• Demonstrable knowledge in data protection rules and regulations in developed markets.
• Experience advising senior management on data protection issues.

Responsibilities

• Act as point of contact with relevant staff and supervisory authorities.
• Monitor data management procedures and compliance.
• Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).

Skills

Knowledge of data protection regulations

Strong analytical skills

Problem solving

Excellent verbal and written communication

Project management

Job description

Description

Role : Data Protection Officer

Location : Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose: Reporting directly to the Senior Management of the relevant department, the Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsibilities include advising on the Bank’s compliance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and local data protection laws, monitoring the Bank’s adherence to GDPR standards and acting as a point of contact with supervisory authorities in all relevant jurisdictions and data subjects. The DPO will also create policies that enforce compliance with relevant legislation and deliver ongoing data protection training to the Bank’s employees to meet required standards and to continually increase awareness of data protection measures across the group.

Key Accountabilities of the role

• 1. Act as point of contact with relevant staff and internal teams as well as supervisory authorities in all relevant jurisdictions to ensure that the Bank’s data protection requirements are understood and adopted within appropriate timeframes.
• 2. Identify, evaluate and enable the ongoing effectiveness of the Bank’s data processing activities.
• 3. Provide advice and instructions on how to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• 4. Monitor data management procedures and compliance within the Bank.
• 4. Participate in meetings with managers to ensure privacy by design at all levels.
• 5. Maintain records of data processing operations.
• 6. Ensure the Bank addresses all queries from data subjects within legal timeframes (e.g. delete their information from the Bank’s databases).
• 7. Liaise with other organisations/vendors who process data on behalf of the Bank.
• 8. Write and update detailed guides on data protection policies.
• 9. Perform audits and determine whether the Bank needs to alter its policies and procedures to comply with new regulations.
• 10. Offer consultation and advice on how to deal with privacy breaches.
• 11. Deliver training on data protection compliance to all Bank employees (e.g. GDPR local data protection regulation).
• 12. Follow up with changes in the law and regulations and issue recommendations to ensure compliance.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role:

• High and demonstrable knowledge in data protection rules and regulations in developed markets.
• Special expertise in data protection role capable of advising senior management obtained in a regional or global institution.
• An ability to understand, create and run processes on data protection across the entire ADIB Group Companies.
• Abilities to read and understand laws, rules and regulations on data protection.
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving, consulting and report writing.
• Good presentation skills, training delivery and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Project management and delivery skills.

Previous relevant experience:

• 10-12 years experience working for a regional or global company in a data protection position.
• Any of the above experience obtained whilst working in a similar role for a financial institution would be a distinctive advantage.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority